The Dual Threat: Everything We Know About Moana 2's Villains, Nalo And Matangi

The highly anticipated sequel, Moana 2, is set to introduce not one, but two formidable new antagonists, fundamentally changing the narrative structure of the franchise. As of late 2024, official reports and new trailer details confirm that Moana and Maui will face a dual threat: Nalo, an ancient and powerful storm god, and Matangi, a mysterious supernatural being with deep, unsettling ties to Maui's past. This shift from a singular, elemental villain like Te Kā to a pair of complex, mythological figures promises a richer, darker, and more emotionally challenging adventure for the beloved wayfinder.

The film, which sees Moana answer an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, will propel her across the far seas of Oceania into dangerous, long-lost waters, where these two new antagonists reside. The dynamic between Nalo and Matangi—one a seemingly voiceless, elemental force, the other a captivating figure with a personal vendetta—is the central mystery that will drive the plot when the movie hits theaters in November 2024.

Moana 2: Full Cast and Key New Characters

The sequel brings back the core voice cast who defined the original film, while introducing a few critical new figures who will shape Moana's next adventure. The new characters, especially the antagonists, are set to challenge the heroes on both a physical and emotional level.

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• Moana: Auliʻi Cravalho (Reprising Role)
• Maui: Dwayne Johnson (Reprising Role)
• Chief Tui: Temuera Morrison (Reprising Role)
• Sina: Nicole Scherzinger (Reprising Role)
• Tala: Rachel House (Reprising Role)
• Hei Hei: Alan Tudyk (Reprising Role)
• Matangi: Awhimai Fraser (New Character, Antagonist)
• Nalo: (New Character, Primary Antagonist, Voice actor not widely publicized due to his "voiceless" nature)
• Simea: (New Character, Moana's little sister, expected to play a supporting role)

Nalo: The Envious Storm God and Primary Antagonist

Nalo is positioned as the overarching, primary villain of Moana 2, representing a massive, elemental threat that Moana and Maui must overcome. He is an envious storm god, a terrifying force of nature who rules over a forbidden realm of the sea.

The God of Storms and Lightning

Nalo manifests as a colossal storm-like presence, characterized by an ominous purple glow, lightning, and dark clouds. He is not a physical being in the traditional sense, but rather a terrifying manifestation of the ocean's fury. This portrayal is a clever nod to the first film's villain, Te Kā, but amplified to cover an entire region of the ocean.

His power is absolute over his domain, and he is responsible for cursing and guarding the mysterious island of Motufetu for centuries. He maintains a menacing storm barrier of clouds and lightning, preventing anyone from reaching the lost waters and reconnecting the people of Oceania.

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Mythological Inspiration: Tāwhirimātea

While Nalo is a new creation for the Disney universe, his character draws significant inspiration from Polynesian mythology, specifically the deity Tāwhirimātea.

• Tāwhirimātea is the Māori god of weather, storms, wind, and clouds.
• In mythology, Tāwhirimātea is often depicted as a powerful and volatile force, sometimes in conflict with his brothers.
• Nalo embodies this raw, destructive power, serving as the ultimate obstacle to Moana's mission to reunite her people and discover new islands.

The nature of Nalo being an "envious" god suggests a deep-seated motivation—perhaps a resentment of the demigods and mortals who sail the seas he believes he should control, or a jealousy of Maui's fame and power.

Matangi: The Underworld Goddess and Maui's Dark Past

The introduction of Matangi is arguably the most intriguing development in Moana 2, as she is not just an obstacle but a figure deeply connected to Maui's centuries-long history. She is initially presented as a secondary antagonist, a supernatural being with a beguiling yet sinister presence.

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A Long-Time Foe with a Shared History

Matangi is described as a longtime foe to Maui, sharing a shadowy, centuries-long backstory with the demigod. Their relationship is complex, with early details suggesting it could be a central, deeply emotional thread of the story. Some theories even hint at a past romantic tension between the two powerful beings.

The trailer footage shows Matangi holding Maui captive, delivering a powerful line that suggests she is prepared to destroy him. She directly challenges Moana and Maui's heroic images, threatening to expose a "dark past" of Maui that could shake his entire heroic image.

The True Nature: Villain or Victim?

One of the biggest mysteries surrounding Matangi is whether she is a true villain or a misunderstood character. Conflicting reports and theories suggest a more nuanced role:

• The Villain Role: She is an evil goddess or supernatural being who challenges everything Moana thinks she knows about herself. She is powerful, potentially more so than Maui, and serves as an imposing physical and psychological threat.
• The Victim Role: Some sources suggest Matangi is an unwilling ally to Nalo, or perhaps even imprisoned by him in a clam, similar to how Te Fiti was trapped by Te Kā's curse. In this scenario, Nalo is the "true villain," and Matangi's goal is to compel Moana and Maui to stop Nalo, perhaps even letting Maui go to serve this purpose.

This dual nature makes Matangi a compelling figure, subverting the recent trend of straightforward Disney antagonists and promising a more structurally complex and emotionally resonant character arc.

The Dual-Antagonist Strategy: Why Moana 2 Needs Two Villains

The original Moana was praised for its innovative approach to the villain, revealing Te Kā to be the cursed goddess Te Fiti. Moana 2 seems to be building on this complexity by introducing a dual-antagonist structure—Nalo as the elemental threat and Matangi as the personal, psychological foe.

A Challenge to Moana's Wayfinding Mission

Moana's journey is about reconnecting the islands and reawakening the spirit of wayfinding. Nalo, as the storm god, is the literal embodiment of the obstacle to this mission, creating a barrier of dangerous, long-lost waters that prevents safe passage. Defeating Nalo is essential for the physical success of Moana's quest.

A Challenge to Maui's Redemption Arc

Matangi, on the other hand, is the challenge to Maui's personal redemption. The original film saw Maui overcome his arrogance and selfishness. Matangi's existence and her knowledge of Maui's "dark past" force the demigod to confront his deepest regrets and mistakes from his centuries of life. This emotional conflict is vital for his character development and will test his loyalty to Moana.

Ultimately, the synergy between Nalo and Matangi ensures that Moana faces a massive physical threat, while Maui faces a deeply personal one. The resolution of their conflict may require them to work together to free Matangi from Nalo's influence, or to convince her to join their cause, thereby delivering a powerful message about the difference between true evil and misguided pain. The film is set to explore themes of forgiveness, ancient grudges, and the true cost of mythological power, making Nalo and Matangi two of the most fascinating new villains in the Disney canon.